Pembroke to vote Saturday on override for $11.5M school roofs project

Pembroke voters will head to the polls Saturday to make the final call on a property tax override to fund the town half of a $11.56 million school roof replacement

Jessica Trufant The Patriot Ledger @JTrufant_Ledger

PEMBROKE –Town voters will head to the polls Saturday to make the final call on a proposed property tax increase to fund $11.56 million roof-replacement project at four of the town’s five schools.A public meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the library, 142 Center St., at which residents will see a presentation on the roof replacement project and have the chance to ask questions.

The project cleared its first hurdle on Nov. 12 when residents at a special town meeting approved borrowing up to $11.8 million to replace the roof at Pembroke High School, Pembroke Community Middle School, Hobomock Elementary School and North Pembroke Elementary School.

Director of Finance and Operations Erin Sullivan-Obey on Tuesday said the new estimated cost for the project is $11.56 million, an estimated 52.06 percent of which the Massachusetts School Building Authority will reimburse the town.

“Since town meeting gave the ability to borrow, the cost has gone down, and $11.8 is the ceiling,” Sullivan-Obey said. “Once we go out to bid for construction it could come in even less.”

At the most, the Proposition 21/2 debt-exclusion tax override would cost the owner of a home assessed at $350,000 about $75 in the first year. The amount would gradually decrease over the 20-year life of the loan.

The new roofs would be covered by a 20-year warranty and are projected to save the schools about 15 percent in utility costs.

Sullivan-Obey said the town has held several public hearings for residents interested in the project. ‘‘It’s been great. We’ve had only positive feedback, and selectmen have taken a positive stance on the project,” Sullivan-Obey said. “We’re excited and very hopeful.”

Town Clerk Mary Ann Smith said she had only received about 60 absentee ballots by Tuesday afternoon, which was fewer than she anticipated. The town has approximately 12,000 registered voters.

“I know the schools have been drilling people to get out and vote, so it could be high,” Smith said. “It’s hard to say what the turnout will be.”